There were barbecues going and many fans were washing down their New Year’s Day breakfast with cold beer – or something stronger.
Advertisement
The Boston Bruins ended 2015 taking a point in 15 of their last 19 games, and the team’s improved defensive play and the elite goaltending of Tuukka Rask were primary reasons for that success. We’ve also seen less exciting rivalries, like Boston/Philadelphia, but they key there was that the game took place in Fenway Park, as historic a venue as there is anywhere in sport.
“We didn’t just want to participate in the Winter Classic, we wanted to win the Winter Classic”, said coach Michel Therrien.
The Montreal Canadiens head into Boston for the Winter Classic looking to shake out of an ugly 2-8 slump and retake their perch atop the Atlantic division standings but face off against heir bitter rivals in the elements in what should be an exciting contest.
However, Price has been limited to 12 games this season because of injuries, thrusting Condon into the spotlight and the MA native duly responded with a decent 11-9-3 record.
“(They’re) very disappointed”, said Boston defenceman Dennis Seidenberg. His energy fuels the Canadiens, and they were far more unsafe with him.
It was the first time the Canadiens have scored more than three goals in a game since a 5-1 victory over the New York Rangers on November 25.
The 2016 National Hockey League Winter Classic had two original six franchises come together at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, Massachusetts.
“For me coming back, I said I wasn’t going to come back if I couldn’t contribute, and I was happy to be a part of it tonight”, he said.
Gallagher’s presence gives the Canadiens more prickliness.
Things technically got better for the Black and Gold in the middle frame, but that isn’t saying much. “I didn’t know what to do”. The four-goal win was the largest for the event since it began in 2008. “You just have to tell yourself you need to be better, and we have to be better as a group”. But on Thursday, he was dressed in full uniform and assisting in another matter: Helping to protect the Montreal Canadiens team bus that contained his son as it traveled to Foxborough for practice. Smelling a game-clincher, the Canadiens followed with flurry, but Ferraro did a nice job supporting down low and clearing the puck from the frenzy of activity around the Boston net. Maybe they should have done that last month when they couldn’t find their rhythm. The Canadiens carried play throughout the opening period, outshooting their opponent 14-3 but the score would remain 1-0 after 20 minutes.
“I was anticipating that would happen”, Gallagher said after the game. “During a game that is rare to see”.
Fans booed the Canadiens alumni, but mostly good-naturedly, and the style of play was more reminiscent of a no-defense All-Star game than one of the bone-crunching battles the teams have waged through their history.
It had given fans hope that the Bruins could do it again and break that pattern. Arriving late in the evening on December 29, the intimidating structure known as Gillette Stadium dominates the landscape, with it’s bright lights cutting through the light snowfall and fog. The promotional campaign reached a hilarious peak during an episode of “General Hospital ” earlier this week, in which references to games were awkwardly shoehorned into the characters’ dialogue.
Condon’s best came when he robbed Ryan Spooner with a sprawling glove save in the closing seconds of the second period.
“It’s really impressive given all the pressure that’s on his shoulders for him to step up and play like this”, Pacioretty said.
Advertisement
Thanks Tuukka for featuring me on your mask today! I was bundled down with a few sweatshirts, a jersey and a blanket, and as I recall it, the temperature was pretty flawless. “Hopefully got some of his mojo on my helmet there”.
